Isolair – Satisfying the needs of the helicopter operator

OREGON — What started out in 1978 as a home project in a Portland garage to build a spray system for a Wasp conversion helicopter, ended up becoming one of the world’s leading helicopter dispersal systems manufacturer. Bob Mosmeier formed Isolair 32 years ago so he could offer customers more dispersal equipment options for their helicopters.
Bob was raised on an Iowa farm. He left home to join the military, where he built turbine engine test stands. After leaving the military, he formed Isolair. He brought with him basic, practical design skills that were simple and worked. Bob settled on the name Isolair after being involved in a project where infrared (Isol in Swedish) units were mounted on helicopters. Thus, the name Isolair.
Through coincidence and good fortune, Michael Powell was working as a local meat cutter with Bob Mosmeier’s wife. Michael became friends with the Mosmeier’s and in 1989 was offered a job at Isolair. Ten years later, Bob retired and Michael and his wife, Terry, now operate Isolair, along with 12 employees.
Last November, Isolair moved from its Troutdale, Oregon location to its new location in Gresham, a suburb of Portland. The move afforded Isolair the space to expand its manufacturing capabilities, including a helipad for customers to use.
Isolair manufactures 25-30 different types of dispersal equipment for helicopters. Approximately half of the units have FAA’s STC-PMA approval, while the rest are operated under an STC, or are attached to a sling hook that doesn’t require FAA-approval. Two-thirds of its products are exported around the world. Spain is the company’s largest international customer, while Korea is operating over 25 units.
Isolair’s products are widely used in aerial firefighting, forestry, spraying and environmental areas, like mosquito control. They include various sizes of lightweight, fiberglass vacuum-formed tanks, dry material spreaders and buckets slung from the helicopter’s lift/cargo hook.
As part of Isolair’s ‘can do’ policy, most equipment spares are shipped in 24 hours. Complete custom systems have been built in as little as four weeks. Every effort is made to meet the AOG needs of the customer.
Fire Systems Isolair’s Eliminator Fire Systems provide firefighting capability to the Bell, Sikorsky and Eurocopter series of helicopters. Mounted on the helicopter’s belly, its single 350-gallon tank crosses under the belly of the aircraft with a net unit weight of 300 pounds.
With Isolair’s Hover Refill electric pump and probe, the unit can be refilled while in hover at 400 GPM. Its hydraulically operated doors can dump from 50 to 200 gallons/second. Dump doors are designed in a series of three for multi-drops and effectively controlling the drop line. Isolair’s unique dump doors are controlled with cables that prevent damage should the pilot land with them open.
Spraying Systems Isolair has a wide range of models for all helicopters typically used in aerial spraying applications. Tank sizes range from the 60-gallon Initiator to the 380-gallon Hustler. All units are designed for lightweight, strength, reliability, optimum convenience and performance capabilities. The units are easy to install, often requiring only one person. Operators experience an increase in payload and Vne with an improved CG.
The pilot has cyclic control of the pump, boom valve, emergency dump and an optional automatic flagman. Booms can be mounted forward or aft. The flow control allows the pilot to make adjustments during flight for the desired boom pressure. The units use electric and/or hydraulic pumps and controllers except for the Enstrom system, which is belt-driven.
Broadcaster Systems Isolair’s Broadcaster is a fixed-mount system that incorporates the use of hoppers and blowers to distribute dry materials. It has dual blowers powered by 24-VDC or hydraulics. The dual blowers allow the pilot to have either a full or half swath, ranging from 20 feet up to 90 feet. The cyclic controlled, air-operated, micro-adjust metering permits flow rates between .5 pounds to 250 pounds per acre. The two side-mounted fiberglass hoppers have a total capacity of 20 cubic feet.
Dryslinger Systems Isolair’s Dryslinger makes any helicopter a dry application workhorse. With a lower initial cost than skid mounted units, it offers versatility with cockpit control, fast loading cycles, accurate flow with rates ranging from 0.5 to 550 pounds per acre. The units are lightweight with an open spinner design that eliminates clogging, spreads more evenly and features impeller blades and a wear plate that can be quickly changed when applying abrasive materials.
The bucket of the Dryslinger can be powered by a fully self-contained gasoline engine or hydraulics from the helicopter. It has a fully enclosed metering gate system. Its advanced stabilizer and sling provide for superior aerodynamics that are critical in helicopter operations.
Dryslinger buckets range in size from 20 to 85 cubic feet. The 20-cubic foot unit has a net weight of 120 pounds for the gasoline model or 85 pounds for the hydraulic unit. It can deliver an effective swath of 90 to 125 feet. The 60-cubic foot unit has a net weight of 390 pounds for the gasoline model and 360 pounds for the hydraulic unit. It can deliver an effective swath of 100 to 200 feet. Custom buckets can be designed for up to 100 cubic feet and a maximum gross hook weight of 7,000 pounds.
No matter where in the world a helicopter is based, Isolair can provide support for its products. Its wide range of models address the needs of a working helicopter. When a specialty situation arises, Isolair’s meets the demand with its “can do” policy, modifying models or build an altogether new type of unit to satisfy its customers.